Manchester United stars kick off international break in contrasting fashions as legend Rooney bids farewell
By Ollie Slack
Manchester United’s international reds have jetted off to their countries to honour their nations badge once more. Twelve United stars in total have left the A.O.N Training Complex and five of them were due to be in action last night.
Two of the Red Devils finest shot-stoppers have been called up to their respective international teams, David De Gea of Spain and South American teammate Sergio Romero for Argentina. Marcos Rojo has not been included in the Argentine squad though as he still looks to prove his fitness on return from injury.
Defenders, Antonio Valencia (Ecuador), Luke Shaw (England), Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast) and recently crowned Swedish Player of the Year winner, Victor Lindelof have all joined up with their national sides.
Jesse Lingard (England) is one of two British midfielders in United’s first team to receive a call to play for their countries. Scott McTominay is the other, the midfielder was not originally included in the Scotland squad to face Albania and Israel but has since been added.
Both Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were included in Didier Deschamps plans for France’s fixtures against Netherland and Uruguay. The pair had to withdraw through injury, it is Pogba’s thigh and Martial’s groin which are causing concern.
Nemanja Matic is the only other Manchester United midfielder to have left Carrington for this week. The Serbian comes up against Montenegro and Lithuania, both in the UEFA Nations League.
Marcus Rashford (England), Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez (Chile) are three United forwards who will be playing across the globe in the next week. Lukaku’s Belgium teammate Marouane Fellaini has not been included in Roberto Martinez’ squad, however.
The perfect start
Manchester United double act and best friends got their week of international football off to the perfect start at Wembley last night with a 3-0 win over the USA.
Jesse Lingard started the match on the left of a front three, with a licence to roam, and netted the opening goal in the 25th minute. Cutting inside on his right foot Lingard curled a beautiful shot towards goal from outside the left-hand side of the box, over Brad Guzan and into the top right corner.
Marcus Rashford didn’t start the match but came on with just over 10 minutes to play. The forward looked lively, but so much so like an excitable puppy, running into trouble on occasions.
Luke Shaw didn’t make the subs bench despite being included in the group by Gareth Southgate. The defender failed a late fitness test but has not withdrawn from the squad yet so we could see him back in action on Sunday as England take on Croatia.
The match was also a near-perfect night for Manchester United’s and England’s record all-time goalscorer Wayne Rooney. The former Red returned to play for his country for the first time in two years for a final send-off, giving both the fans and Wayne a chance to say ‘thank you’.
Not such a great start to the week
David De Gea conceded three goals once again as Spain suffered their second straight 3-2 loss in the UEFA Nations League. De Gea’s nation are still top of the group on six points having won two and lost two.
However, all the Spanish can do now is sit back and wait for the result of England vs Croatia, which takes place on Sunday to see if they will qualify for the semi-final stages.
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In the only other fixture involving a United player last night, Romelu Lukaku missed Belgium’s penultimate Nations League fixture against Iceland due to a hamstring injury. Michy Batshuayi netted a brace in his absence and it is unclear whether Rom will return for their final group stage match against Switzerland on Sunday.